Synthetic turf seam integration template system and methods of use

Abstract

A synthetic turf seam integration template system and method is provided that includes a template having a planar base with a perpendicularly joined positioner. The planar base is configured with a longitudinal cutting edge with a predetermined curvature and an opposing longitudinal non-cutting edge. The positioner, which aids in moving the template, is attached to the non-cutting edge. Variations of the predetermined curvature patterns are disclosed. An optional connector allows connection of two templates to create a longer template for usage on longer seams. Also disclosed are methods of using the seam integration tool in creating an undetectable seam in synthetic turf.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A seam tool system for use with synthetic turf comprising:
 a template comprising:
 a planar base ( 30 ) extending longitudinally between a first lateral base end ( 15 ) and a second lateral base end ( 11 ) and extending laterally between a longitudinal cutting edge ( 39 ) with a predetermined curvature pattern and an opposing longitudinal non-cutting edge ( 25 ); wherein said predetermined curvature has multiple narrow portions ( 31 ) interspersed with multiple wide portions ( 35 ); and 
 a positioner ( 20 ) attached perpendicularly to said longitudinal non-cutting edge ( 25 ) of said planar base ( 30 ) and extending longitudinally a length equal to over one half of the length of said longitudinal non-cutting edge ( 25 ), wherein said positioner ( 20 ) has a width of less than 10 inches; and 
 
 a connector ( 40 ) comprising:
 a connector horizontal member ( 60 ) extending laterally between an outer longitudinal edge ( 49 ) and an opposing inner longitudinal edge ( 65 ) and extending longitudinally from a first lateral end ( 47 ) to an opposing second lateral end ( 48 ) with a horizontal member middle ( 66 ) disposed centrally between said first lateral end ( 47 ) and said second lateral end ( 48 ); 
 wherein, the area of said connector horizontal member ( 60 ) between said first lateral end ( 47 ) and said horizontal member middle ( 66 ) is configured with at least two holes spaced a pre-selected distance apart; 
 wherein, the area of said connector horizontal member ( 60 ) between said horizontal member middle ( 66 ) and said second lateral end ( 48 ) is configured with at least two holes spaced said pre-selected distance apart; 
 wherein said connector horizontal member ( 60 ) has a width of less than the width of at least one of said multiple narrow portions ( 31 ); 
 wherein said planar base ( 30 ) is configured with two connector-attaching holes ( 12 ) disposed toward said first lateral base end ( 15 ) and spaced said pre-selected distance apart; and 
 wherein said planar base ( 30 ) is configured with two connector-attaching holes ( 18 ) disposed toward said second lateral base end ( 11 ) and spaced said pre-selected distance apart. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The seam tool system for use with synthetic turf, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined curvature pattern is a trapezoidal pattern. 
     
     
       3. The seam tool system for use with synthetic turf, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said connector ( 40 ) further comprises a connector flange ( 45 ) that is disposed perpendicularly to said connector horizontal member ( 60 ) at said inner longitudinal edge ( 65 ). 
     
     
       4. The seam tool system for use with synthetic turf, as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said connector flange ( 45 ) has a length that is at least half the length of said connector horizontal member ( 60 ). 
     
     
       5. The seam tool system for use with synthetic turf, as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said connector ( 40 ) and said connector flange ( 45 ) are formed unitarily. 
     
     
       6. The seam tool system for use with synthetic turf, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said template ( 10 ) and said connector ( 40 ) are formed of aluminum. 
     
     
       7. The seam tool system for use with synthetic turf, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said template ( 10 ) is formed of aluminum. 
     
     
       8. The seam tool system for use with synthetic turf, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said positioner ( 20 ) is formed unitarily with said planar base ( 30 ). 
     
     
       9. The seam tool system for use with synthetic turf, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said positioner ( 20 ) is non-removably attached to said planar base ( 30 ). 
     
     
       10. The seam tool system for use with synthetic turf, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined curvature pattern is a wave pattern. 
     
     
       11. The seam tool system for use with synthetic turf, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined curvature pattern is a trapezoidal pattern. 
     
     
       12. The seam tool system for use with synthetic turf, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said planar base ( 30 ) has a width (W 1 ) of greater than 4 inches and of less than 24 inches; 
 said planar base ( 30 ) has a length (L 1 ) of greater than 4 feet and of less than 12 feet; and 
 said positioner ( 120 ) has a width of less than 10 inches. 
 
     
     
       13. The seam tool system for use with synthetic turf, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said first lateral base end ( 15 ) comprises the center of the left outermost one of said multiple wide portions ( 35 ); and 
 said second lateral base end ( 11 ) comprises the center of the right outermost one of said multiple wide portions ( 35 ). 
 
     
     
       14. The seam tool system for use with synthetic turf, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said first lateral base end ( 15 ) comprises the center of the left outermost one of said multiple narrow portions ( 31 ); and 
 said second lateral base end ( 11 ) comprises the center of the right outermost one of said multiple narrow portions ( 31 ). 
 
     
     
       15. The seam tool system for use with synthetic turf, as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a coordinating template ( 110 ) comprising:
 a planar base ( 130 ) having a longitudinal cutting edge ( 139 ) with a predetermined curvature pattern, having an opposing longitudinal non-cutting edge ( 125 ), having a first lateral base end ( 115 ), and having a second lateral base end ( 111 ); wherein said predetermined curvature has multiple narrow portions ( 131 ) interspersed with multiple wide portions ( 135 ); and 
 a positioner ( 120 ) attached perpendicularly to said longitudinal non-cutting edge ( 125 ) of said planar base ( 130 ) and extending a distance equal to over one half of the length of said longitudinal non-cutting edge ( 125 ); wherein said first lateral base end ( 115 ) comprises the center of the left outermost one of said multiple narrow portions ( 131 ); and said second lateral base end ( 11 ) comprises the center of the right outermost one of said multiple narrow portions ( 131 ). 
 
 
     
     
       16. The seam tool system for use with synthetic turf, as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a coordinating template ( 110 ) comprising:
 a planar base ( 130 ) having a longitudinal cutting edge ( 139 ) with a predetermined curvature pattern, having an opposing longitudinal non-cutting edge ( 125 ), having a first lateral base end ( 115 ), and having a second lateral base end ( 111 ); wherein said predetermined curvature has multiple narrow portions ( 131 ) interspersed with multiple wide portions ( 135 ); and 
 a positioner ( 120 ) attached perpendicularly to said longitudinal non-cutting edge ( 125 ) of said planar base ( 130 ) and extending a distance equal to over one half of the length of said longitudinal non-cutting edge ( 125 ); wherein said first lateral base end ( 115 ) comprises the center of the left outermost one of said multiple wide portions ( 137 ); and said second lateral base end ( 11 ) comprises the center of the right outermost one of said multiple wide portions ( 137 ). 
 
 
     
     
       17. A method to cut synthetic turf for creating a seam between a first turf piece and a second turf piece, comprising:
 creating a first turf overlap ( 75 ) by turning back a first inner edge ( 73 ) of said first turf piece ( 70 ), wherein said first turf piece ( 70 ) comprises a first grass face and an opposing first turf understructure; and wherein said turning back results in said first turf understructure facing upward and in a portion of said first grass face of said first turf overlap ( 75 ) laying adjacent to said first grass face of the un-turned portion of said first turf piece ( 70 ); 
 creating a second turf overlap ( 85 ) by turning back a second inner edge ( 83 ) of said second turf piece ( 80 ), wherein said second turf piece ( 80 ) comprises a second grass face and an opposing second turf understructure; and wherein said turning back results in said second turf understructure facing upward and in a portion of said second grass face of said second turf overlap ( 85 ) laying adjacent to said second grass face of the un-turned portion of said second turf piece ( 80 ); 
 distinguishing a first orientation line ( 77 ) disposed on said first turf understructure running parallel to said first inner edge ( 73 ); 
 distinguishing a second orientation line ( 87 ) disposed on said second turf understructure running parallel to said second inner edge ( 83 ); 
 obtaining a template ( 10 ) comprising a planar base ( 30 ) having a longitudinal cutting edge ( 39 ) with a predetermined curvature pattern, having an opposing longitudinal non-cutting edge ( 25 ), having a first lateral base end ( 15 ), and having a second lateral base end ( 11 ); wherein said predetermined curvature has multiple narrow portions ( 31 ) interspersed with multiple wide portions ( 35 ); 
 positioning said template ( 10 ) with said non-cutting edge ( 25 ) aligned with said first orientation line ( 77 ); 
 manually cutting said first overlap ( 75 ) along said cutting edge ( 39 ) to create a freshly cut inner edge ( 74 ) that corresponds to said predetermined curvature pattern and to create turf wastage ( 79 ); 
 removing said turf wastage ( 79 ); 
 positioning said template ( 10 ) with said non-cutting edge ( 25 ) aligned with said second orientation line ( 87 ); 
 manually cutting along said cutting edge ( 39 ) to create a freshly cut inner edge ( 83 ) that corresponds to said predetermined curvature pattern and to create turf wastage ( 89 ); 
 removing said turf wastage ( 79 ); 
 laying said first turf piece ( 70 ) flat; 
 laying said second turf piece ( 80 ) flat; 
 placing seam tape under said freshly cut inner edge ( 74 ) and said freshly cut inner edge ( 83 ); and 
 adhesively attaching said freshly cut inner edge ( 74 ) and said freshly cut inner edge ( 83 ) to said seam tape. 
 
     
     
       18. The method to cut synthetic turf for creating a seam between a first turf piece and a second turf piece, as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said predetermined curvature pattern is a trapezoidal pattern. 
     
     
       19. A method to cut synthetic turf for creating a seam between a first turf piece and a second turf piece, comprising:
 creating a first turf overlap ( 75 ) by turning back a first inner edge ( 73 ) of said first turf piece ( 70 ), wherein said first turf piece ( 70 ) comprises a first grass face and an opposing first turf understructure; and wherein said turning back results in a portion of said first grass face of said first turf overlap ( 75 ) laying adjacent to said first grass face of the un-turned portion of said first turf piece ( 70 ) and said first turf understructure facing upward; 
 creating a second turf overlap ( 85 ) by turning back a second inner edge ( 83 ) of said second turf piece ( 80 ), wherein said second turf piece ( 80 ) comprises a second grass face and an opposing second turf understructure; and wherein said turning back results in a portion of said second grass face of said second turf overlap ( 85 ) laying adjacent to said second grass face of the un-turned portion of said second turf piece ( 80 ) and said second turf understructure facing upward; 
 distinguishing a first orientation line ( 77 ) disposed on said first turf understructure running parallel to said first inner edge ( 73 ); 
 distinguishing a second orientation line ( 87 ) disposed on said second turf understructure running parallel to said second inner edge ( 83 ); 
 obtaining a template ( 10 ) comprising a planar base ( 30 ) having a longitudinal cutting edge ( 39 ) with a predetermined primary curvature pattern, having an opposing longitudinal non-cutting edge ( 25 ), having a first lateral base end ( 15 ), and having a second lateral base end ( 11 ); wherein said predetermined primary curvature has multiple narrow portions ( 31 ) interspersed with multiple wide portions ( 35 ); 
 positioning said template ( 10 ) with said non-cutting edge ( 25 ) aligned with said first orientation line ( 77 ); 
 manually cutting said first overlap ( 75 ) along said cutting edge ( 39 ) to create a freshly cut inner edge ( 74 ) that corresponds to said predetermined primary curvature pattern and to create turf wastage ( 79 ); 
 removing said turf wastage ( 79 ); 
 obtaining a coordinating template ( 110 ) comprising a planar base ( 130 ) having a longitudinal cutting edge ( 139 ) with a predetermined coordinating curvature pattern, having an opposing longitudinal non-cutting edge ( 125 ), having a first lateral base end ( 115 ), and having a second lateral base end ( 111 ); wherein said predetermined coordinating curvature has multiple narrow portions ( 131 ) interspersed with multiple wide portions ( 135 ); and wherein said predetermined coordinating curvature is offset from said primary coordinating curvature; 
 positioning said coordinating template ( 110 ) with said non-cutting edge ( 125 ) aligned along said second orientation line ( 87 ); 
 manually cutting along said cutting edge ( 139 ) to create a freshly cut inner edge ( 83 ) that corresponds to said predetermined coordinating curvature pattern and to create turf wastage ( 89 ); 
 removing said turf wastage ( 79 ); 
 laying said first turf piece ( 70 ) flat; 
 laying said second turf piece ( 80 ) flat; 
 placing seam tape under said freshly cut inner edge ( 74 ) and said freshly cut inner edge ( 83 ); and 
 adhesively attaching said freshly cut inner edge ( 74 ) and said freshly cut inner edge ( 83 ) to said seam tape.